HC Deb 20 February 1975 vol 886 cc517-9W
Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish in the Official Report the most recent information available in order to update existing information in the consultative document on the London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms.

Mr. Mulley

No updating is considered to be necessary.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that the building of the London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms, accords with Her Majesty's Government's policy of national energy conservation.

Mr. Mulley

As was made clear in the Adjournment debate of 21st January, the construction of an orbital road for London as part of a national network of roads, itself part of a wider transport strategy, is the policy of the present Government. This takes account of the necessity for energy conservation.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will publish in the Official Report up-to-date traffic projections concerning the proposed London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms.

Mr. Mulley

Traffic studies are still proceeding and the latest figures will be made available when formal proposals for this section of the London outer orbital route are published.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is considering the upgrading of the A41, A405 and A6 roads as an alternative to the proposed London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms.

Mr. Mulley

Present indications are that the upgrading of existing roads would provide only a short-term solution at considerable cost. I shall, however, be considering this alternative solution along with others which have been put forward as a result of the recent consultation with the public.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he will not publish the replies to his Department's questionnaire on the proposed London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms, until he announces a decision on the route.

Mr. Mulley

Publication of the views obtained as a result of public consultation before the preferred route has been announced would tend to lead to renewed pressure for the adoption of particular solutions.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the cancellation of the Channel Tunnel project will have on the proposed construction of the London outer orbital route Micklefield Green-South Mimms.

Mr. Mulley

None.

Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which years were used as a basis for the projections contained in the consultative document on the London outer orbital route, Micklefield Green-South Mimms.

Mr. Mulley

The consultative document does not contain detailed projections.

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